Avocado Business Development Manager

A fast-growing, vertically integrated, family owned & operated Grower/Packer/Shipper/Importer is in growth mode and adding an experienced retail sales expert to spearhead new direct sales. This is a hands-on business development role focused on opening new accounts across retail, (preferred and the primary focus) foodservice, wholesale and distribution.

Our client is a sizable, fast-growing company with a large volume of product and they own their own packing facility in Michoacán, Mexico. While established for over a decade, the company still operates with a lean, entrepreneurial mindset. This right candidate needs to be comfortable making calls, visiting customers, following through on details and solving problems without a large corporate support team.

There are exciting growth opportunities within the company. This role’s primary function is developing new customers but depending on career aspirations and fit, this person has a pathway to leading the sales dept as they continue to grow.

Our client has operations in both Mexico and Texas but is open to this role being remote within the U.S. with regular travel as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

Develop new business with national and regional retailers, foodservice customers, wholesalers, and distributors.

Use existing industry relationships to open doors, build a pipeline, and secure new business, including longer-term retail programs.

Manage customer relationships directly, from prospecting and presentations through ongoing account service.

Work closely with the Mexico-based pricing and operations teams to coordinate orders, availability, fulfillment, and customer requirements. Pricing decisions are managed in Mexico.

Stay informed about market conditions, competitor activity, quality expectations, and customer needs.

Address day-to-day customer issues promptly and take ownership of follow-through.

Provide practical sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and market feedback to management.

Travel regularly to visit customers and attend relevant industry events.

Desired Skills & Characteristics:

“Hunter” sales personality, self-starter, interested in prospecting and landing new customers.

Takes initiative, work proactively and consistently to identify and capture new opportunities.

Relationship builder. Has a good sense of the level of consistency to be in touch with prospective retail customers. Uses the phone, takes customer visits, attends trade shows, as well as utilizes email and electronic communication to build business prospects and customers.

Constant and consistent learner. Talks with team, customers, industry members, not afraid to ask questions. Stays abreast of industry changes, category developments, and trends.

Requirements Include:

At least 4 years of successful sales experience in fresh produce in the U.S.; direct avocado experience is preferred but not necessarily required.

Strong, established relationships with buyers and category managers within retail and related customer bases.

Proven ability to win new accounts and manage customer relationships.

Strong negotiation, communication, organization and follow-through skills.

Self-directed, resourceful, and comfortable working remotely with a lean support structure.

Willingness to travel as needed to build and serve accounts.

Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required. Experience and comfort working with a multinational company is necessary.

The target base salary for this role is $100,000 to $120,000. The actual salary for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills and experience. The base salary range does not include other compensation elements, which will compose the total compensation package, or other benefits available to the position.